A tribute blog to my beloved Aqa Moula (TUS). A humble offering of a 'guldasta' of my 50 articles, which I intend to offer as Hadiyah in Shukr. Also some fond memories associated with my life over 50 eventful years.

MOULANA SAATH SAATH

Memories with my Moula over 50 glorious years. The smiling young one between bewe Moulas has witnessed the glorious and eventful 50 years. At the Shabab outing managed to evoke smile on Moula's radiant face, with a silly Chinese skit. At the Star Sporting Club outing got a walk the talk opportunity. Treasured memories.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

My Quest - 100 Milad Mubaraka Ohbat - 4th Post

Now in this 4th 100 Milad Mubarak post, let us take into
account, some of the causes, which led to the advent of the ‘dark age’ when
knowledge acquired through the Centuries was deemed lost, and more importantly,
when it resurfaced, it was wrongly assumed to be, largely on account of the
intellectual pursuit of Western Nations, as a result of Renaissance and
Industrial Revolution.

It was not so, as clearly shown in my previous post. Please
permit to quote an erudite scholar Syyed Ameer Ali from his book – ‘ The Spirit
of Islam’

‘ Such was the glorious achievement of the Moslems in the
field of intellect; and all was due to the teachings of one man ( Nabi Mohammad
– S.A) ... Afflicted humanity awoke into new life. Whilst the barbarians of
Europe, who have overturned an effete empire, were groping in the darkness of
ignorance and brutality, the Moslems were building up a great civilization.
During the centuries of moral and intellectual desolation in Europe, Islam led
the vanguard of progress. Christianity had established itself on the throne of
the Caesars, but it failed to regenerate the nations of the earth....From the
schools of Salerno, of Bagdad, of Damascus, of Cordova, of Granada, of Malaga,
the Moslems taught the world the gentle lessons of the philosophy and practical
teachings of Science’

I also quote a Christian author of a blog aptly describing
the result of the meeting of two diverse cultures: ‘ The Christians were
brought face to face with a civilization superior to their own; their eyes were
dazzled by the light of Arabian learning; and the mental ferment which
succeeded in Europe led to the cultivation of science and literature, the
foundation of universities, the study of the immortal classics of Greece and
Rome, the growth of philosophy and skepticism, the Renaissance in Italy, and
the Reformation in Germany. And these movements, in turn, led to the French
Revolution, which sounded the death-knell of Feudalism, and to the Free thought
of Voltaire, which pierced the heart of Superstition.

Just recently the world has witnessed the horrible tragedy
resulting out of a combination of earthquake and Tsunami, that has devastated
the most technologically advanced Nation of Japan. My profound and heartfelt
sympathy are with the Japanese people, who are basically very stoic, and as in
the past, they will surely overcome this tragedy, of which I am sure.

Likewise a most barbaric and damaging episode erupted – an
earthquake on the fertile plains of Islamic Intellectual and morally uplifting
landscape, in the last part of the 10th Century. The cause was the rallying
call made, to save Christianity from the infidels (Muslims) - after a meeting
called by Pope Urban II. As a result of which, the Crusades began in 1097 and
continued for 3 centuries.

First Crusades 1097 –1099

Second Crusades 1147- 1149

Third Crusades 1187- 1192

The Crusades burst among the Muslim empire, at a most
crucial moment in its history. I shudder to mention the barbaric acts, which
occurred at Ma’arra al Numan, following the capitulation of Antioch. Peter the
Hermit, Walter nicknamed ‘penniless’ – Godeschal - the German monk perpetrated
inhuman atrocities.

Millions perished in battle, hunger or disease and the
Crusaders disgraced the Cross, for the protection of which they had issued
forth. It is very ironic, and how misguided were their clergy, as the Muslims
also beleived in One Supreme Being- Allah. They fought the holy wars to rid the
world of the infidels. This only shows how misguided they were, and the real
causes were far too malicious and deep.

A Muslim view fully borne out by the atrocities committed by
the Crusaders

The object of the Crusades was inhuman. They were launched
against Islam by those who were suffering from mental rigidity, prejudice,
wrong conceptions, class ¬distinctions, intellectual stagnation, educational
back¬wardness and medieval fossilization. These wars were started with a view
to oppose a new religion and a world system which believed in human values and
had replaced discrimination and inequality by justice and equality and put the
firm belief in one God in the place of complex heathenism. The result was
tremendous bloodshed, large scale destruction and many ignoble incidents which
continued for over a century.

The brilliance of Islamic teaching and moral code, made an
impression on many moderate and thinking Christians, many converted to Islam,
as things settled down. Many Christians and Jews were holding important
administrative posts, and were exerting influence in the Fatimid Courts. In the
previous post, I have already dwelt on the brilliance and quest of Intellectual
achievements, encouraged and fostered by our most reverred Fatemi Imams (SA)

However, unfortunately Islam was to suffer more devastation
in the form of a Tsunami, that originated from the vast steppes of Mongolia, in
the form of Chengiz or Jingis Khan. In the year 1218 AD the Mongol issued forth
from the steppes , with a savage following of a million and moved upon
Farghana.

Centers of knowledge and culture like Herat, Balkh, Bokhara,
Samarkand were reduced to ashes. A general massacre was ordered in all these
cities. This Mongol invasion put an end to the intellectual life of Central
Asia.

More destruction and savagery was witnessed when 50 years
later Halaku, the grandson of Chengiz Khan sacked Bagdad. For three days the
streets ran with blood, and the water of the Tigris was dyed red for miles
along its course. The horrors of rapine, slaughter and outraged humanity,
lasted for six weeks.

The reckless assassination of thousands of scholars, poets,
writers and the destruction of libraries and colleges wrought irreparable
disaster upon the Muslim civilization, which had flourished for centuries with
remarkable vitality.

What deepened the somber effects of the tragedy was the
fact, with the extermination of men of learning, the spirit of enquiery and
original research, so distinctly associated with Arabic learningas practically
destroyed.

However, in the midst of all this horrors, there was a
silver lining. More than a hundred years before the Mongols sacked Central
Asia, Moulana Imam Taiyyeb (SA) had gone in seclusion, In the beginning of the
12th Century Moulana Lamak (RA) had come in the hazrat Imamiyah Mustansiryah to
seek the raza. We mumineen are very familiar with the historical evidence that
transpired.

Here I quote from one of my earlier post on the Glorious
Fatimid Empire - Part 3.

'The period of 454 A.H. to 459 A.H.,was a period of chaos
and famine, but of far reaching and significant consequence for the Fatemi
Taiyyebi Dawah. Sy. Al- Mu'yyad (AQ) passed these four years in conference with
Dai Lamak at Dar-ul- Ilm, and thus although the Nile had dried up, the Fatemi
Uloom flowed in torrents towards Yemen.

Syedna Mu'yyad (AQ)remained in charge of the entire Dawah
until his death in 470 A.H. He wrote most of his works, in the last year of his
life.'

So long before the Mongols had
destroyed everything in sight, the true learning (I’lm of A’le Mohammad,
encompassing all branches of knowledge) found a very safe and secure haven, to
be diligently pursued and revitalized, in the fortified forts (hisn haseen) of
Yemen.

About Me

Being born a Saggitarius,I try to live by the dictates of my stars - that is to say, I like to clown around, avoid morons, look forward to meet interesting and charming persons. Social work is a passion and takes precedence over every thing,it gives me a 'high'without getting into trouble with the long arm of the law. In the words of K.Geetha Menon
I was born in a crack in the concrete,
Sun and rain alternated,
I became a botanist's dream.
Yet the guilllotine is awaited by me,
For the palce of my birth, was not the coveted pot !!!